Ryerson Station State Park is in Greene County in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia border. The 1,164-acre park features the 62-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake that is named in memory of a former manager of Ryerson Station State Park.

Cottages

The two cottages sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks, and have wooden floors, windows, skylights, porch, picnic table, fire ring, electric lights and outlets, and a small baseboard heater.

Camping

Camping: rustic sites, some with elec.

A 48-site campground for tents or trailers lies on a ridge overlooking the park. Camping facilities are open the second Friday in April and close at the end of deer season in mid-December. Camping permits must be secured at the park office. Rustic toilets and a sanitary dump station are provided. Sixteen sites have electric hookups requiring an additional fee.

Organized Group Tenting: A rustic camping area is available for organized adult or youth groups from the second Friday in April to September 30. The area can hold up to 80 people and provides rustic toilets, drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables and a pavilion. Advanced reservations are required.

Events

April 17

Reptiles and Amphibians of PA

Join Naturalist April Claus as she introduces you to things that creep and slither. This hands-on interactive program introduces you to the reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania. Learn how to identify frogs and toads by their call, examine touchable models and learn how to identify the poisonous snakes that live in our state. Meet and touch some LIVE snakes, toads, turtles and salamanders that are native to Western Pennsylvania. You will be amazed at the important role these animals play in our local ecosystem! A portion of the program will be outside. Waterproof boots are recommended.

Swimming

Swimming: A free pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. Check the state park link for posting. The pool complex is accessible, including a lift for the pool. A food concession is near the pool area.

Boating

Boating: electric motors only

The 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake has a launching ramp just off of Bristoria Road, near the park office. A limited number of mooring sites can be rented on a seasonal basis. Gasoline motors are prohibited.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

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Nearby Parks

Picnicking

Over 275 picnic tables are available throughout the park along with grills, drinking water and comfort facilities. Some of these facilities are accessible. A small, children?s play area is in the main picnic area. The park has five picnic pavilions. Three pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trails

Hiking: 11 miles of trails

The trails invite you to explore the park on foot during spring, summer, fall and on cross-country skis in winter. The trails traverse many habitats, like mature forests, wet valley bottoms, evergreen plantations and fields in ecological succession.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

November 8Great family fun by Carol

We took our sons fishing there 40 years ago. Would love to locate some old photos of the lake and spillway to share with my sons now. We live in Texas now and my sons talk about the good times spent there.

June 23use to be the best park ever by ginger

now they took the dam out, there is no more concession stand, boat rentals, just the pool and they are not always opened. it was once a beautiful place to go and i think the state needs to recognize this and do something to bring this back to the way it use to be. then you will be busy more then ever. i still will come but i would like to know what time and days the pools are opened. the campgrounds are very nice they added 2 cabins, the trails are a big adventure for everyone and a good workout, if more people would get together and do something about it then maybe we can get ryersons back again. i remember going before the pool was even there. that is how long i have been going there. now i make that a place for my girls and I to go. several of my friends and there families have gone with me and we are planning to come real soon again.